Pena, 31, had a .291 batting average in 29 games with the Tigers entering Saturday. He signed as a free agent Dec. 10 to help back up Alex Avila.

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Signing with the Tigers might have been the smartest decision Brayan Pena ever made in his major league career.

For instance, had he not joined the Tigers, he wouldn't have become good friends with Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister. "I'm going to be honest with you, he's made me a smarter human being," Pena said. "I praise him a lot."

Pena spent his first four seasons with the Atlanta Braves and the next four with the Kansas City Royals. ...